Great first season for new lax league

The Kahnawake LAX U-11 Co-Ed Lacrosse League crowned its first three-on-three champions over the weekend, with the Á:kweks defeating Okwáho by a score of 12-7.

Tsikera’wístak beat Oskenón:ton 19-5 to claim bronze.

“I was excited that we won. It was really impressive that we were in last place, and we finished first,” said nine-year-old Easton Dearhouse, a member of the Á:kweks.

Indeed, they had a slow start to the year, before climbing to third in the four-team league prior to the playoffs. They then defeated Tsikera’wístak 16-8 to book their finals trip.

Dearhouse said his favourite moment of the finals was scoring a top-corner goal, off a rebound from his friend and teammate Gamo (Nigamowin Ottereyes Lahache).

“Gamo fired a shot. The goalie made the save. The rebound dropped at the edge of the crease. Easton didn’t hesitate, full wind-up, boom! Top corner. Not even cheers, just that ‘Ohhhhhh!’ Everyone knew it was filthy,” said Easton’s father, Jayson.

Easton said that his favourite parts of lacrosse were playing with his friends and against the best players.

“I put in the work so one day I can play for the Hunters,” said Easton - his favourite player on last year’s Founder’s team was Owen Rice.

“He’s fun to watch. He’s fast, he scores a lot of goals, and he never gives up. I learned a few things from watching him play,” said Easton.

He called the league the “best thing ever,” and his father said he would not hesitate to register Easton again and encouraged other parents to do the same - he hoped that more girls especially would join the league next year.

“It really felt like a big event we all looked forward to every weekend. The kids had an amazing time playing against their friends while developing their skills at the same time,” said Jayson.

“The coaches who organized it did an incredible job. They volunteer their time to make this possible, and their dedication is what keeps programs like this going. We’re so grateful for everything they do behind the scenes.”

Justus Polson-Lahache, one of the league’s organizers along with Orahkwase McGregor and Miles Thompson, said that the league is planning on returning next year.

They took a strategic approach, he said, taking attendance, looked at the numbers of players, what development looked like, and thinking about what this kind of league could look like in other age groups.

While an announcement is in the works, he said that they know they did a good job getting the buy-in from players and parents while giving the opportunity to play lacrosse year-round.

“I think both goals we achieved, and I personally saw some kids that started out, their first time playing, and by the end of the league, they had some skills in them. It was really nice to see that, and that, for me, was like the proof that we achieved our goals,” said Polson-Lahache.

“We really couldn’t have done this without everyone’s support.”

After the finals, one player from each team was awarded the Atonhnhétshera ne Tewa’á:raton - the Spirit of Lacrosse Award.

The award, a carved and engraved wooden block, was decided on either by the coaches or by parents to highlight a player who showed effort, sportsmanship, dedication, a good attitude, and a love for the game.

Easton won it for the Á:kweks, Awerénhawe Lahache for Oskenón:ton, Sha’kerenha:wi Mayo for Tsikera’wístak, and Zayne Kane for Okwáho.

McGregor said he was inspired by the awards the Hunters gave out at the end of their season. He found a piece of walnut board online, did some experimenting carving it, and then went to someone in the community with a laser cutter to engrave the team’s logo.

“I feel like we hit a home run on that,” said McGregor.

“You could see it on the kids’ faces. They were super proud of themselves. They were super happy about it. And best of all, when their name was announced, every other kid on the floor, it didn’t matter which team they were from, they were all cheering them,” said Polson-Lahache.

That camaraderie will serve them as they continue their path into the sport, Polson-Lahache said.

“As long as they’re playing lacrosse, they’re always going to be teammates. They might be separated into different teams, but at the end of the day, they’re all playing in the same age category, and as they move towards the Junior levels and adults, maybe even professional, they’re going to build those connections with each other,” said Polson-Lahache.

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